Chapter 81: Unintended Encounters Sometimes Breed Problems (3)

Bang Jin-bo had his hand on Eun So-cheong's shoulder as he stared at Dam Ho. Eun So-cheong's face was deathly pale. She was far too young and frail to endure Dam Ho's killing intent.

Before Eun So-cheong stood Jong Ri-su, sword drawn and held at the ready. He had unconsciously drawn his blade in response to Dam Ho's killing intent.

Jong Ri-su was gnashing his teeth as he glared at Dam Ho. His palms were slick with sweat, though he himself was entirely unaware of it. That was how tense he was.

Dam Ho looked at Bang Jin-bo. Bang Jin-bo shook his head.

It was not for his own sake. It was for Eun So-cheong's. Dam Ho read Bang Jin-bo's intent.

Dam Ho's gaze shifted to Sim Woo-won.

"Do not meddle with people carelessly."

With those words, Dam Ho returned to his seat. Only then did the stone-hard tension in the air finally ease.

"Haa!"

A sigh of relief escaped someone's lips.

Sim Woo-won frantically racked his brain to recall Dam Ho's identity. And then he remembered an unbelievable rumor he had heard recently.

'The man who single-handedly destroyed Seocheon Mountain Villa, displayed incredible martial prowess at Hongam Mountain Villa, and subjugated Nam Hak, the chief disciple of the Gokdong Sect and member of the Nine Dragons, in one blow? It was so absurd that I dismissed it as a baseless rumor.'

The subject of that unbelievable rumor was said to be a man who wore a black robe as dark as midnight and walked with a slight limp.

That was why he had dismissed it as a rumor—but now the man who matched that description exactly stood before his eyes.

Sim Woo-won's tightly sealed lips parted.

"Shin… Gang-hyeol-seong."

Now he believed the rumor.

No—he had no choice but to believe.

The man before him was even more terrifying than the rumors described. If his martial prowess was even half of what was rumored, the Uiseon Sect was as good as destroyed. He had to resolve this situation amicably somehow.

He hastily spoke.

"I—I apologize. It seems I was too hasty."

As the sect leader of the Uiseon Sect, those were words he could barely bring himself to say. But Dam Ho's reply remained cold.

"Apologize not to me, but to these children."

Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong still appeared unable to recover from their shock.

"I am sorry. I should have explained the situation before speaking. If my words hurt you, I apologize."

"No, it's fine."

"Uncle! We're all right."

At this, it was Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong who were flustered.

Eun So-cheong's bewilderment was beyond words. She had never once seen her uncle Sim Woo-won show such a weak demeanor.

That was how afraid he was of Dam Ho.

Eun So-cheong stole a glance at Dam Ho.

Dam Ho sat in his seat as though nothing had happened. As though, like the eye of a storm that remains peaceful even as the tempest devastates everything around it—

'Just who is that man?'

But Eun So-cheong did not dare to ask.

Before her eyes lay a corpse transformed into a bloodbath. The horrific sight made it difficult even to breathe.

With the situation having come to this, it was Do Hak-gyeong who became most anxious. Do Hak-gyeong was now unable to draw a deep breath.

'A… a God of Death was standing before me.'

He had heard many stories about how fearsome martial artists were, but until now he had never once paid them any mind. Instead, he had sneered at them as uncultured brutes who could not appreciate the refined world of gastronomy.

All of that had been possible because the Uiseon Sect protected him firmly. But now that the Uiseon Sect's halo had vanished, he was no longer a proud head chef—he was nothing more than a frightened old man.

Dam Ho's gaze turned to Do Hak-gyeong. Do Hak-gyeong hastily averted his gaze. He lacked the courage to meet Dam Ho's eyes.

"Because of you, an innocent life was lost."

"……"

Do Hak-gyeong's pupils shook as though struck by an earthquake.

What he wanted to say was, 'How is that my fault? You're the one who killed him.' But he did not have the courage to say so while looking at Dam Ho's face.

Sim Woo-won looked at Do Hak-gyeong.

"Did you perhaps make any mistakes while preparing the food?"

"You know that is impossible for me."

"Then why—"

It was then.

"Oh! Did you perhaps add Heavenly Fragrance Grass when making the Golden Silk Five Dragon?"

Bang Jin-bo suddenly clapped his hands as though remembering something. At that, a look of horror appeared on Do Hak-gyeong's face.

Heavenly Fragrance Grass was a rare spice that grew only on the Heavenly Mountain. Among chefs, extremely few even knew of its existence, and fewer still knew how to use it.

When preparing the Golden Silk Five Dragon, he had used a small amount of Heavenly Fragrance Grass to enhance the flavor. Even the chefs who worked alongside him did not know this.

"So that's why…"

Bang Jin-bo murmured.

Watching him, Do Hak-gyeong asked:

"How did you know I added Heavenly Fragrance Grass?"

"I've tasted it before."

"You've tasted Heavenly Fragrance Grass? That rare spice?"

"Yes!"

When Dam Ho had destroyed Seocheon Mountain Villa, Bang Jin-bo had tasted Heavenly Fragrance Grass. Though a long time had passed, he still remembered that flavor.

That was perhaps why, when he tasted the Golden Silk Five Dragon Do Hak-gyeong had prepared, it felt somehow familiar.

"Heavenly Fragrance Grass certainly elevates a dish to its peak. But in this case, the flavor was too strong."

"So it was excessive?"

"In my opinion, yes."

"Hmm!"

Do Hak-gyeong let out a low groan.

He had never expected that the Heavenly Fragrance Grass he added to enhance the flavor would instead ruin it.

Do Hak-gyeong looked at Bang Jin-bo with new eyes.

"Have you studied cooking before?"

"My father was a chef. I learned from him."

"That is remarkable. To be able to distinguish the taste of Heavenly Fragrance Grass. You truly have an extraordinary palate."

"It's nothing."

"I apologize. I blamed you without realizing it was my own mistake. I will also apologize to Miss Eun. But how did you know about the Heavenly Fragrance Grass as well, Miss Eun?"

"As I said earlier, I've tasted an even more delicious Golden Silk Five Dragon."

"What do you mean?"

"To my taste, the Golden Silk Five Dragon Jin-bo makes is the most delicious. That doesn't mean Chef Do's cooking lacks flavor. It's simply that Jin-bo's cooking suits my palate better."

"Hmm!"

Do Hak-gyeong let out another low groan.

Now everything was clear. They had not been trying to slander him. Everything had been his own mistake, his own misunderstanding. But the price had been too great.

One man had died, and his reputation had hit rock bottom. Sim Woo-won, too, had lost face to the point of being unable to lift his head. That was why he could not face Sim Woo-won.

Do Hak-gyeong sighed and looked at Sim Woo-won.

"Haa! All of this is my fault. My arrogance led to this mistake. I will take full responsibility and resign from the position of Head Chef. Sect Leader, please punish me as you see fit."

"No. I share great responsibility for not examining the circumstances before shouting at them blindly."

Sim Woo-won let out a quiet sigh.

He did not know how the situation had come to this. It felt as though he had been possessed by something, as though he had been trapped in a nightmare. But all of this was reality, and it was his burden to bear.

Dam Ho was staring at him intently.

Though he remained still for now because of Bang Jin-bo, there was a look and an air about him suggesting he would move at any moment.

Sim Woo-won clasped his fists toward Dam Ho.

"I will apologize once more. Shall we let the matter rest here today, for both our sakes?"

"Even though your subordinate died?"

"Even so, I will let it rest."

A tremor ran through Sim Woo-won's shoulders. An overwhelming humiliation crushed both his shoulders. But he knew he had to endure it.

He could not afford to make an enemy of a man like Dam Ho out of anger. If he did, there was no telling how far the consequences would reach.

This was not the time to make an enemy of Dam Ho. At least not now.

Dam Ho rose from his seat and spoke.

"If your mind changes, you may come find me anytime."

"……"

"But you had best come prepared to stake the lives of your entire sect."

"Kuh!"

Dam Ho's words, arrogant to the point of brazenness, twisted Sim Woo-won's face into an ugly grimace. But he could not retort. He could feel that Dam Ho's words were sincere.

Dam Ho turned toward the stairs. Though he still limped slightly, that sight somehow made him appear even more terrifying.

Bang Jin-bo spoke to Eun So-cheong.

"I'm going now!"

"But…"

"I'll see you later."

Bang Jin-bo offered Eun So-cheong his characteristic warm smile, then followed after Dam Ho.

Eun So-cheong stared blankly at Bang Jin-bo's retreating figure.

Thud! Thud!

The sound of their footsteps descending the stairs weighed heavily on Sim Woo-won's chest.

"Haa!"

Only after the footsteps had completely faded did Sim Woo-won turn his attention to the guests on the fifth floor. Now he had to manage the situation.

Do Hak-gyeong's honor must not be ruined, nor could the Uiseon Sect's name be tarnished.

Fortunately, Sim Woo-won had excellent means at his disposal—his medical skill and martial prowess. Combined with the financial power of the Eun Family, there was no problem he could not resolve.

Now it was time to talk.

Bang Jin-bo suddenly looked back. In the distance, the Cheonha Jeil Ru towered proudly atop the hill, gazing down at them.

Just moments ago, it had seemed so magnificent—but now, strangely, it did not appear so high after all.

'So-cheong.'

He was anxious about what Eun So-cheong thought of him. But he could not bear to leave Dam Ho alone either.

Dam Ho wore a completely expressionless face, as though he had not just killed a man moments before.

Bang Jin-bo approached him.

"Hyung!"

When he called, Dam Ho looked down at him.

"Why did you do that?"

"……"

"I mean… did you really need to kill that warrior of the Uiseon Sect?"

"It was necessary."

"Why?"

"Because most men, until they experience it firsthand, will not believe it even if they see hell standing before their eyes."

"Hyung!"

"Did you see the eyes of the one who calls himself the Uiseon Sect Leader?"

"That was…"

"The eyes of a typical opportunist. Such men are weak against the strong and infinitely cruel to the weak. That is why I had to set an example."

The moment an opponent showed weakness, such men would relentlessly crush them, yet bow their heads endlessly before the powerful. That was exactly the kind of man Dam Ho had seen in the Uiseon Sect Leader.

"Hyung!"

"The shell of the Uiseon Sect, or worldly fame—none of that matters. Strip away the clothes of the Uiseon Sect Leader, and what remains? Erase the smile from his face, and what is left? What matters is not the outward appearance seen by the eyes. What truly matters is a person's essence."

Dam Ho spoke more than usual, unlike his typical self.

He wanted to teach Bang Jin-bo something. How to live in this world. How to survive in its brutality.

Bang Jin-bo was too innocent, and he believed the world was bright. But this world was neither as beautiful nor as bright as Bang Jin-bo imagined.

Sometimes, extreme methods could be the most righteous course of action.

Dam Ho was conveying his thoughts to Bang Jin-bo through his own actions. How Bang Jin-bo received them was entirely up to him.

Chu Sajin and his warriors drew their swords, blocking the young man’s path.

“Insolent lackey, you don’t know your place!”

“How dare you mock us? You’re a suspicious fellow!”

At that moment, the young man turned around.

Seeing the drawn swords, a chilling murderous aura rose in Jin Ja-gang’s eyes.

At first, Jin Ja-gang thought Chu Sajin and his men were just after the bounty. If the conversation went well, he planned to make up an excuse and send them away.

But when Chu Sajin claimed to be part of the Martial Arts Alliance and drew his sword threateningly, the situation changed.

The Martial Arts Alliance, a gathering of so-called righteous heroes.

But what about Chu Sajin’s actions looked heroic?

Having been deeply scarred by the Martial Arts Alliance, Jin Ja-gang could not help but feel anger at even the mention of their name.

Chu Sajin, unaware of this, tried to pressure Jin Ja-gang by invoking the name of the Alliance.

In hindsight, it was foolish.

If those who destroyed Stone Forest Gang and Shadow Bureau feared the Martial Arts Alliance, they wouldn’t have dared such things in the first place.

Of course, Chu Sajin believed Jin Ja-gang was merely a “lackey,” not one of the true culprits.

Startled by Jin Ja-gang’s killing intent, Chu Sajin and his warriors hesitated. Jin Ja-gang spoke.

“I don’t know Ojo Sect, nor do I have any grudge against it. Please turn back now.”

But Chu Sajin was not one to retreat just from those words. He had never intended to back down. He only paused momentarily, feeling the chill of Jin Ja-gang’s aura.

‘For a mere lackey, his presence is…’

But some people who kill as easily as slaughtering livestock sometimes have eyes like that.

So it could be bluffing!

Thinking he’d been cowed by a mere lackey, Chu Sajin’s pride was hurt.

Chu Sajin signaled with his eyes.

Chu Sajin and his warriors, swords drawn, surrounded Jin Ja-gang.

“We have no grudge against you, but you must understand we cannot simply walk away. If you refuse to come with us, we’ll have to use force.”

Jin Ja-gang’s face turned cold.

“I already told you I refuse.”

Chu Sajin spoke firmly.

“We’re looking for the limping man who disappeared from Shadow Bureau. Come with us for a few checks, and if you’re not the one we seek, I’ll apologize as many times as you wish and let you go.”

Jin Ja-gang thought for a moment.

‘A few checks?’

Was the Martial Arts Alliance finally getting involved in the Poison Sect’s affairs?

But on reflection, Chu Sajin’s words didn’t sound official.

If the Alliance were formally involved, Chu Sajin would have said, “Ojo Sect’s business is the Alliance’s business.” Instead, he said, “We’re handling Alliance business on behalf of Ojo Sect.”

This meant it was likely Ojo Sect’s private matter.

A sect Jin Ja-gang didn’t even know was pursuing him… which meant-

‘Someone put them up to this?’

Chu Sajin said they were looking for the limping man who disappeared from Shadow Bureau.

The only one who knew Jin Ja-gang had been at Shadow Bureau was “him,” the one watching Jin Ja-gang!

Jin Ja-gang pressed his lips together.

He could kill them all right here. But if this was orchestrated by “him,” he must not get caught in the trap.

Perhaps killing them all was exactly what “he” or his organization wanted.

Jin Ja-gang was freshly angered by “him” toying with him, but until he understood “his” motives and identity, he had to act cautiously.

A sword hovered before Jin Ja-gang’s chest.

“So, what will you do? Will you come quietly, or must we use force?”

Jin Ja-gang suppressed his killing intent and calmly answered.

“I might be the one you’re seeking, or I might not. But I will not go with you.”

The sword was nearly touching his chest, but Jin Ja-gang showed no fear.

“So you intend to resist?”

“No.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Chu Sajin.

“I’m just not sure you’ll be able to take me where you want to go.”

“What?”

Chu Sajin was so taken aback, he laughed.

“You say that with a sword at your throat? Where does such confidence come from?”

The warriors jeered.

“Don’t tell me you plan to break our legs so we can’t go… is that it?”

“We know you’re bluffing. Best come quietly before you lose a limb.”

Jin Ja-gang’s expression didn’t change.

“If you move carelessly, you’ll die.”

“…?”

“What nonsense is this?”

“Leader, I think this is our guy. He keeps trying to wriggle out with tricks.”

Chu Sajin shouted at Jin Ja-gang.

“You! Trying to talk your way out of this? Enough words!”

Chu Sajin pressed his sword closer to Jin Ja-gang’s neck.

But Jin Ja-gang didn’t flinch.

He tapped the ground with his chin.

“Look down.”

Unlike the seasoned masters Jin Ja-gang had faced before, Chu Sajin and his warriors glanced down without thinking.

“What’s down there…”

Jin Ja-gang had already drawn energy through his Baihui point, creating a handful of internal power.

He held his breath, circulated the energy, and used swift footwork. Lowering his body to avoid the sword at his neck, he spun and instantly escaped the sword’s range.

“Ah!”

Because Jin Ja-gang moved so close to the ground, his clothes whipped up dust.

Whoosh!

When Chu Sajin shouted for them to stop, the poison powder he’d scattered in advance was swept up by the wind. He’d pretended to dust off his clothes, but had actually been spreading poison powder.

“You!”

Chu Sajin saw the swirling powder but thought it was just dust, and swung his sword in Ojo Sect’s secret technique, the Flowing Whale Wave. The Ojo Sect’s swordsmanship was characterized by slow, heavy strokes, like a great wave.

Chu Sajin had trained systematically since childhood and was not lacking in skill, but he was not on the level of the masters Jin Ja-gang had faced before.

Compared to those who killed as a matter of course, his sword was almost too straightforward. The blade was slow, and there was no real killing intent at the tip. He even avoided vital spots.

Because the openings were so obvious, Jin Ja-gang dodged easily.

But then Chu Sajin’s sword cunningly changed direction, pursuing Jin Ja-gang.

‘Hmm?’

Jin Ja-gang was surprised as the sword came from an unexpected angle. He felt as if he’d been caught in a web-no matter how he dodged, he was being pressured more and more.

It was like being drawn to the center of a spider’s web.

In truth, this was Jin Ja-gang’s first time facing proper sword forms. The Poison Sect masters he’d fought before used practical, single-move strikes, not continuous forms.

Ojo Sect’s swordsmanship, with its long history, was deep. The blade’s path was relaxed, but there was little wasted movement, and what looked like an opening was not an opening at all.

Jin Ja-gang realized he was running out of space to dodge.

‘So this is the meaning of sword forms.’

He reflected on the techniques he’d learned from the survivors of the Medicine Sect.

Of course, with only a handful of internal energy, Jin Ja-gang couldn’t use continuous forms himself.

The handful of energy he’d drawn was already depleted.

Jin Ja-gang gritted his teeth.

Slice!

Chu Sajin’s sword grazed Jin Ja-gang’s shoulder, drawing blood-a deep wound.

If Chu Sajin had been more experienced, he would have realized the attack succeeded not because of his skill, but because Jin Ja-gang had deliberately changed direction, taking the wound to escape the encirclement.

Jin Ja-gang abruptly charged at Chu Sajin. Chu Sajin, caught off guard, was flustered.

“Wha-!”

He tried to switch forms, but his energy was scattered and his sword lost power.

Jin Ja-gang had fought many life-and-death battles-and won them all.

He seized the opening and jabbed his fingertips into Chu Sajin’s throat.

Thunk!

Chu Sajin’s face turned red as he clutched his neck, stumbling back. Jin Ja-gang hadn’t intended to kill, but the pain was considerable.

“Leader!”

One warrior shielded Chu Sajin while the other two attacked Jin Ja-gang.

Meanwhile, Jin Ja-gang drew another breath through his Baihui point.

He dodged left and right, evading the swords, then chopped down on one attacker’s wrist. The man tried to block, but Jin Ja-gang pressed down on the sword’s spine with his other hand, disrupting him.

Thunk!

The blow was powered by half a breath of internal energy, and Jin Ja-gang’s strength, honed by eight years of swinging a hammer in the mines, was formidable.

The warrior’s hand went numb and he dropped his sword. Jin Ja-gang ignored him and turned to the other.

That one swung for Jin Ja-gang’s waist. Instead of dodging back, Jin Ja-gang rolled forward.

The sword swung harmlessly over his head. Jin Ja-gang came up behind the man and focused the rest of his internal energy into his hand, stabbing his fingers deep into the man’s right side, under the ribs. He could feel the ribs lift under his fingers.

“Aaaagh!”

The man screamed, clutching his side and collapsing to his knees.

“Stay back!”

The last warrior, who had been protecting Chu Sajin, raised his sword in fear.

Jin Ja-gang didn’t approach, just watched.

Chu Sajin, seeing Jin Ja-gang’s skill, realized they were in danger. His techniques weren’t especially grand, but they were precise and practical-certainly not the style of the righteous sects.

“Who… who are you?”

“No need to know.”

“You think we’ll back down?”

Chu Sajin, gasping for breath, still lifted his sword.

The man who’d dropped his sword picked it up again, and the one with the wounded side, face twisted in pain, also raised his blade.

Jin Ja-gang ignored their bravado.

“Still don’t get it?”

“What are you talking about?”

Jin Ja-gang touched his bleeding shoulder.

“You’re all poisoned.”

“What?”

The poison powder he’d scattered had been swirling in the air throughout the fight.

They’d already inhaled a good amount.

But Chu Sajin and the others didn’t realize it. They didn’t believe they were poisoned-there’d been no sign, and no side effects had appeared yet.

“You’re lucky I have the antidote. Unlucky for you, after a while, even the antidote won’t help.”

Jin Ja-gang walked toward the warriors. They flinched and stepped back.

But Jin Ja-gang just passed them and went to their horse.

Whinny!

He stroked the horse’s mane.

“What are you doing?”

Jin Ja-gang took a small vial from his sleeve and put it in the saddlebag. Then he slapped the horse’s rump.

Startled, the horse took off running.

Thud-thud-thud-thud.